A lodging manager is a person who is responsible for the overall operations of a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or other lodging facility. He or she must ensure the comfort and satisfaction of guests by ensuring the facilities are clean, operational, and otherwise comfortable, and the lodging manager must also ensure all employees are performing job functions adequately. It is likely that the manager will also be responsible for managing the budget of the lodging facility, as well as the payroll for employees. All other employees will answer to the manager.
While not always necessary, it is helpful for the lodging manager to have a college degree in hotel management. This degree will prepare the student for the day-to-day job responsibilities a lodging manager is likely to undertake. Budgeting can be a difficult part of the manager's job, and a degree in hotel management can better prepare a candidate for this aspect of the job. Students will also learn about the common functions of a hotel and the process of planning events on hotel grounds. This is especially important if the student wants to work at a larger hotel or resort.
One of the more important jobs of the lodging manager is recognizing when profits are failing and making necessary adjustments to get the establishment profitable again. This may mean designing and implementing an advertising campaign, making physical changes to the hotel, offering discounted rates or other specials, or identifying other potential problems and creating a plan to address them. If the lodging manager works for a hotel chain, it is likely that he or she will work with a regional manager from the company who will help determine the best course of action for improving profits and making positive changes to the establishment.
Hiring and firing duties are left to the lodging manager, as are training duties. The manager must be knowledgeable in all aspects of hotel operations, so he or she will be responsible for training various employees throughout the hotel; he or she may work with wait staff in hotel restaurants, housekeeping staff, front desk staff, concierge services, parking facility staff, and groundskeepers. Some resort hotels feature additional attractions such as golf courses or theme parks; the manager may or may not have a hand in managing these added facilities. In many cases, the added facilities will feature additional managers who will run the day to day operations.
